Invisalign for Teenagers
Invisalign for teens: a guide for parents
Invisalign Teen straightens teeth with clear, removable aligners designed for growing mouths, so your teen can get on with school, sport and photos without a mouth full of metal. It’s often used for crowded teeth, gaps and bite concerns, and because the aligners come out to eat and brush, there’s no list of foods to avoid.
This guide covers what age it suits, how it compares to braces for teens, and the part parents play in keeping treatment on track. If you’d like an answer for your own teen, a free 30-minute consultation with a 3D scan will show you where their teeth are at and what treatment could involve.
What age can my teen get Invisalign?
Most teens start Invisalign from around 12, once all of their adult teeth have come through. At that point the bite is settling into place and the aligners have every adult tooth to work with.
Because their jaw is still developing, the teenage years are often a good time to address crowding and bite concerns. Many teens also find the aligner habit easier to build while their days already run to a school routine.
Some of our dentists also treat younger children who still have a mix of baby and adult teeth. Whether that suits your child depends on their teeth and jaw, so it’s assessed case by case.
Signs it’s worth coming in for a free consultation
- Crowded or overlapping teeth
- Large gaps between teeth
- Top teeth that sit well in front of or behind the bottom teeth
- Front teeth that don’t meet when they bite
- Adult teeth coming through out of place
If you’re not sure whether now is the right time, a free consultation will tell you where your teen’s teeth are at, and whether it’s worth starting now or waiting.
How Invisalign Teen is different
Invisalign Teen works the same way as Invisalign for adults, with a few features built around growing mouths and busy teenage lives.
Wear indicators
Small indicators on the aligners fade with wear, so you and your dentist can see whether they’re being worn enough.
Room for growing teeth
The aligners are designed to leave space for teeth that are still coming through, such as second molars.
Out for sport and music
Aligners come out for contact sport (with a mouthguard in), wind instruments and school photos, then go straight back in.
Invisalign or braces for your teen?
Both straighten teeth well in the right cases. For teens, the biggest difference is who’s in charge: braces work around the clock, while Invisalign relies on your teen wearing their aligners 20 to 22 hours a day.
Invisalign may suit your teen if
- They’re organised enough to wear aligners most of the day
- They play contact sport or a wind instrument
- They’d feel self-conscious in metal braces
- Their teeth need mild to moderate straightening
Braces may suit your teen better if
- Remembering to wear aligners would be a daily battle
- Their bite needs more complex correction
- You’d rather not have to check on wear time
- Their dentist recommends it after the scan
Invisalign for teens near you
Invisalign Teen is available at Avenue Dental practices across the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide, with appointments from 7am to 7pm and on Saturday mornings. Choose your area to find your nearest practice.
Helping your teen stay on track
Invisalign works best when aligners stay in. You don’t need to hover, but a few simple habits make a big difference to how smoothly treatment goes.
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1
Make the case part of the routine
Aligners usually go missing wrapped in a napkin at lunch. A case in the school bag fixes most of that.
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2
Brush before they go back in
Food trapped under aligners sits against the teeth, so a quick brush after eating matters more than usual.
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3
Water only while they’re in
Soft drinks, juice and sports drinks get trapped under the plastic, so aligners come out for anything but water.
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4
Keep the check-ins
Regular reviews let your dentist see how teeth are moving and catch anything early. We’re open before and after school to make that easier.
Our Invisalign Services Include
Interest-free payment plans for Invisalign
Our Invisalign Teen patients can benefit from a personalised treatment plan and flexible payment options, including interest-free payment plans, to ensure the process is both affordable and as calming as possible. With fewer visits to the dentist compared to traditional braces, Invisalign is the perfect choice for busy teens and their families.
See the Results
A picture is worth a thousand words, so we invite you to visit our Smile Gallery to see the life-changing results we’ve achieved for our patients.
At Avenue Dental, we’re committed to making your dream smile a reality. Start your journey with us today and discover how our cosmetic dentistry services can enhance your smile and your life.
Invisalign for teens FAQs
Questions parents ask us most. Anything else, your dentist can answer at the free consultation.
What age can my child get Invisalign?
Most teens start Invisalign from around 12, once their adult teeth have come through. At that age the bite is settling into place and the aligners have every adult tooth to work with.
Can younger children get Invisalign?
Some of our dentists treat younger children who still have a mix of baby and adult teeth. Whether Invisalign suits a younger child depends on their teeth and jaw, so it’s assessed case by case at a consultation.
How long does Invisalign take for teens?
Invisalign treatment for teens often takes between 12 and 18 months, depending on how much the teeth need to move. Your dentist gives you an estimated timeframe at the consultation.
How much does Invisalign for teens cost?
The cost of Invisalign for teens depends on how much the teeth need to move, the type of Invisalign and how long treatment takes. Your dentist gives you an exact quote at the free consultation, and interest-free payment plans are available.
Is Invisalign as effective as braces for teenagers?
For many mild to moderate cases, Invisalign can straighten teenage teeth as well as braces, as long as the aligners are worn 20 to 22 hours a day. More complex bites may be better suited to braces, and your dentist will tell you which fits.
Is Invisalign or braces better for my teen?
It depends on your teen’s teeth and how consistently they’ll wear aligners. Invisalign suits teens who can keep aligners in 20 to 22 hours a day and want something less visible, while braces work around the clock without relying on the teen to remember.
How do I know my teen is wearing their aligners?
Invisalign Teen aligners have wear indicators that fade with wear. Your dentist also checks how the teeth are moving at each review, which shows whether the aligners are being worn enough.
What happens if my teen loses an Invisalign aligner?
Contact your practice as soon as you can. Depending on where your teen is in treatment, your dentist may ask them to move to the next set early, go back to the previous set, or order a replacement.
Can my teen play sport with Invisalign?
Yes. For contact sport, your teen takes their Invisalign aligners out and wears a mouthguard, then puts the aligners back in afterwards. The same goes for wind instruments.
Can my teen eat normally with Invisalign?
Yes. Invisalign aligners come out to eat, so there’s no list of foods to avoid. Your teen should brush before putting them back in, and only drink plain water while the aligners are in.
Does Invisalign hurt for teens?
Most teens feel pressure or tenderness for a day or two when they start a new set of Invisalign aligners. That’s the aligners doing their job, and it usually settles quickly.
Will Invisalign affect my teen’s speech?
Some teens notice a slight lisp for the first few days of Invisalign treatment. It usually fades as their tongue gets used to the aligners.
Will my teen need a retainer after Invisalign?
Yes. Teeth tend to drift back towards their old position after Invisalign, so wearing a retainer as advised is what keeps your teen’s result.
Does the Child Dental Benefits Schedule cover Invisalign?
No. The Child Dental Benefits Schedule doesn’t cover orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign. It can still be used for eligible check-ups and general dental care.
Does private health insurance cover Invisalign for teens?
Some extras policies with orthodontic cover contribute towards Invisalign for teens. Limits and waiting periods vary, and orthodontic waiting periods are often longer, so check with your fund early.
Can Invisalign appointments be outside school hours?
Yes. Avenue Dental practices are open from 7am to 7pm on weekdays and on Saturday mornings, so most Invisalign appointments can fit before or after school.
Flexible payment plans
At Avenue Dental on the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne, we understand that dental treatment can be difficult to fit into your budget, which is why we offer a range of different dental payment plan options.
